Periya Thirumozhi Introduction

PERIYA THIRUMOZHI 6.1

Introduction to this decade:

Thirumangai Azhvar was revealed the esoteric meaning of the eight-lettered chant Thirumanthram by the Lord Himself.  Following the revelation, Azhvar realized that the most resplendent form of the Lord is His image form worshiped famously in temples as Archavatharam.  He spent his time, thereon, engaging in the spiritual experience of several such shrines where the Lord is manifest ranging from Thiruppirithi and Badrikasramam in the North to Srirangam and Thiruvellarai in the South.  The Lord allowed Azhvar to stay in this world in line with his interest in enjoying His image forms.

As much as His image forms are enjoyable, the lures of sensual pleasures persist in this material world.  Being habituated to this world through several births, it is very easy to slip back into the vagaries of material life,  a return to which implies prolonged suffering.

In this decade of hymns, Azhvar repeatedly petitions the Lord not to prolong his existence in this world.  He reveals his position that neither permits him to survive without the complete experience of the Lord nor tolerate the association with material life.

The soul has suffered since times immemorial because of the sole association with matter(achith).  Hence, it is imperative that this material life must be given up.

Three decades from the current one onwards are directed towards the Lord of Thiruvinnagar, Oppiliappan.